Monkeypox

Early fears of an escalating outbreak have not come to pass. Scientists are finding that the virus needs a very particular set of circumstances to spread effectively.

With many attendees traveling from out of town and possible skin-to-skin contact in the crowds, some may fear the festival will worsen the spread of monkeypox.

The vaccine is no longer limited to those who were exposed to the virus or diagnosed with the disease.

More than three months into the U.S. monkeypox outbreak, there's a welcome phrase coming from the lips of health officials who are steering the country's response: cautious optimism.

The person was immunocompromised, and officials said Tuesday they are trying to determine what role the virus played in the death. This is Texas' first death of someone with monkeypox.

The number of monkeypox cases in Texas has surpassed 1,000 — an increase of more than 50% since last week. The state’s count also includes Texas’ first presumptive pediatric case in Harris County.

The Biden administration is allowing the shot to be given between layers of skin — a method that only requires a fifth of the full dose — in order to increase vaccinations and slow the outbreak.

Health Authority Dr. Desmar Walkes said the order was issued in part because of the limited amount of vaccines available.

There are more than 600 reported cases of the virus in Texas with dozens more “presumptive cases.” Local officials said more vaccines should be headed to the state following a declaration by the White House that the virus is now a public health emergency.

Austin Public Health expects the extra vaccines to arrive next month. It said it will continue to prioritize people who’ve had high-risk contact with someone who has tested positive.